Update on our BZA Request

Written By Zach Lykins

Thanks so much to everyone who joined us on July 29th for to learn more about our property redevelopment project! We loved sharing plans to revitalize our historic sanctuary into a vibrant community gathering space and build new affordable homes for families who need it most.

I’m excited to share that on August 7th, the Board of Zoning Appeals approved our special exception requests! This will allow for a site layout at TCC that both adds new housing for families while also preserving and restoring the sanctuary as a community resource hub. Excited to share more details about this project and our timeline soon.

Thank you to everyone who participated in a community listening session recently. We loved listening to and learning from each of you!

Here are some of the things we heard from our neighbors during those sessions:

  • “Here you are actually connected to the community you live in”

  • “It feels like I’m a part of the community”

  • “Everyone can both give and receive here as equals”

  • “We can scheme for good here”

  • “We don’t have friends or family here; TCC is the closest we have.”

  • “TCC is a place of peaceful resistance”

  • “I like being in a place where everyone is included.”

As a community, we want to deepen our commitment to radical hospitality, to welcoming the stranger into a community of friends and family.

Building new homes for families here at TCC is one crucial way that we’re deepening our commitment to radical hospitality. But it’s not the only way.

Building homes around a community run third space creates the necessary conditions for community to form. If our neighbors can’t find an affordable place to live, it will be almost impossible to get involved in, be supported by, and contribute to community life here.

But buildings alone can’t welcome, embrace, and affirm the worth and potential of our neighbors. That’s something only people can do. That’s something only you can do. Every meal you share, every neighbor you welcome, and every door you open to invite a neighbor in communicates this powerful message:

  • you matter,

  • we want you here,

  • and there is a unique role this community needs you to play.

We hope you continue to embody that spirit of radical hospitality with us for years to come.

Grateful for each of you,

Zach

Zach Lykins
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